Word Origin & History

petrify 1594, from M.Fr. pétrifier "to make or become stone," from L. petra "rock" + -ficare, from facere "to make, do" (see factitious). Metaphoric sense of "paralyze with fear or shock" first recorded 1771.

Example Sentences for petrified

She stood as if petrified throughout a wait that seemed to both interminable.

It was like a fine mask, suddenly startled, made angry, and petrified.

For a moment she remained as if petrified, still listening, still waiting.

When I told Matthews of my intention he had been petrified with astonishment.

And for a moment he stood as if petrified into a block of massive granite.

His bow was still outstretched, and he stood as if petrified.

The man obeyed, with the suddenness of a jack-in-the-box, and stood as if petrified.

The knot of men with the stretcher had stopped, too, halfway to the steamer, as if petrified.

He took it down and came back, missing the petrified Ali by an inch.

I was petrified; for these words shewed me my danger in all its nakedness.